Wetherby League: Ward leads by example for Kirk Deighton but champions slip up

Ed White

Kirk Deighton played out an almost perfect seasonal opener to thrash depleted Old Leodiensians and provide an early indication they are back to their best.

Deighton obliterated Leos by a remarkable 251 runs, with captain Rich Ward leading by example by hitting a century.

Ward’s men racked up 280-8 at Mark Lane, with new recruit Jaimie Crooks adding 96 to Ward’s 101.

Jonny Watkins then made up for a failure with the bat to run through the Leos order, taking 6-10. Leos could only make 29 on an entirely miserable afternoon.

Wetherby’s title defence got off to a horror start at home to Bilton-in-Ainsty, losing by 84 runs.

Miles Lloyd struck 58 at the top of the order for Bilton as they posted a competitive 202-6. However, Tim Lambert’s left arm spin (3-25) made the reigning champions struggle in the reply, as they made only 118 with Andy Twitchen topscoring on 39.

Barwick-in-Elmet continued their strong from the back end of last season with a simple 82-run demolition of Sicklinghall. Matthew Wood (52) and Chris Harrison (42) batted Barwick to 185-7, and Sicklinghall struggled from the start in their chase until number 10 Steve Wood’s 33 not out gave them a late flurry.

Richard Stephens’ 77 was not enough to take Scarcroft to victory at home to Garforth Parish Church, who won by three wickets.

James Allison’s half century backed up Andy Conboy’s 4-52 as Church swept past Scarcroft’s 198-8.

Church Fenton got the better of the two promoted outfits with a strong nine-wicket triumph over Scholes. Stuart Turner’s unbeaten century guided Fenton past Scholes’ competitive 180-9 first innings total.

Nick Revell also hit three figures to lead St Chads Broomfield past Shadwell in another one-sided contest. Revell shared a massive stand with Tim Patterson (78) to take Chads to 267-5, before bowling Shadwell out for 185. James Procter (49) and Ed Whittingham (65) made some headway for Shadwell until Oliver Tenwick’s five wicket haul cleaned up the tail.

Three promoted teams made early statements in Division Two, with opening day victories. St Chads A beat likely high-flyers East Keswick by three wickets, chasing down 220 while Headingley Bramhope bowled Thorner Mexborough out for just 44 before winning by ten wickets.

Keiran Trotter’s half century took Long Marston to a comfortable seven-wicket win over fellow league newcomers Rufforth in the Wetherby Road derby.